Karlsson out 3-4 months with Achilles tear

This is not good news for the Ottawa Senators. Erik Karlsson is the NHL’s reigning Norris Trophy winner and he was off to a great start to this lockout-shortened season. He’s 22-years old and an unmitigated stud.

In short, they can’t afford to lose him. Yet, they have. Karlsson underwent Achilles surgery on Thursday and will miss 3-4 months.

“He’s playing 30 minutes a game, a Norris Trophy winner, arguably the best player in the League. It’s obviously a big loss — but like every injury, it’s somebody’s opportunity,” coach Paul MacLean said Wednesday. “We have to find out who that’s going to be.”

Yeah, kind of tough to just replace that. He’s one of the best players in the entire NHL. And the Senators are not in a position to be losing that kind of talent with a 7-5 record.

“There’s no words that can explain what we’re feeling,” goalie Craig Anderson said.

Karlsson was injured while battling along the boards with Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke.

“I was at the end of a shift,” Cooke said. “As he took a shot, I went to the corner. Him and I were engaged and he went down screaming. I didn’t even know what happened.

“Obviously, I feel terrible about it. I’m not trying to do that, obviously.”